He finally steps out. "Business is business. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement?"
“Bind them," I order my men. "We're taking them back."
"What are we doing with Vitales?" Adriano asks as the other men tie up Enrico and Marco.
“Whatever I want.” We exit the house, leaving a small army to deal with the remaining men. Time will tell if they’re going to truly surrender and change loyalties or end up dead.
When we get back to the Dante estate, I have Enrico and Marco brought down to the basement lockup while I go to my office.
“I want every Vitale underboss and capo here. They can kiss the ring or die with their boss.”
I head out of my office.
“Hey, where are you going?” Adriano calls out.
“To tell my wife she’s free of those fuckers.” As I ascend the stairs, I feel a welling of strength and confidence filling my chest. I’ve done it. I’ve defeated the Bratva and the Vitales. But more than that, I’ve found a purpose, a reason for existing beyond the duty my father thrust on me. I found love.
35
ISABELLA
I lie in bed, unable to sleep. I can't stop my thoughts from racing. What if Alessandro fails? What if my father and Enrico somehow survive? Win?
Each sound I hear in the hall I fear is Georgio coming to whisk me away because Alessandro has failed.
When Elena showed up to pack my bag, I wanted to send her away. But I promised Alessandro I’d do as he instructed so I and the baby could live free.
“You have the basics, Mrs. Dante,” she says. “And a few for the baby.” She holds up a yellow onesie. “Don Dante wanted to make sure the baby had something from him. And this… ” She holds up an envelope. “Money and a letter.”
My heart both swells and aches thinking of Alessandro buying something for our baby while preparing for war. While preparing for the possibility of his death.
The house remains quiet, the minutes feeling like an eternity as I wait for news of what's happening at the place I grew up.
Is Alessandro bleeding out? Are my father and brother somehow gaining the upper hand?
I rise from bed, sore but feeling stronger. I was able to shower the other day, which did wonders in perking me up. But my wounds still ache, and my body is still scratched up.
I go to Alessandro’s closet and pull out one of his coats, inhaling his scent. I put it on, wrapping myself in it, in him.
A sudden commotion erupts downstairs. Voices shouting, heavy footsteps pounding. My heart races. Either Giorgio is coming to whisk me away to safety, or my father and brother are coming for me.
The bedroom door crashes open.
Alessandro stands there, blood splattered across his shirt, a cut above his eyebrow. His hair is disheveled, but his eyes blaze with life and triumph.
"Alessandro!" I cry out.
Without thinking, I launch myself at him. He catches me easily, his arms wrapping around me as my legs encircle his waist. I'm sobbing against his neck, breathing him in.
"You're alive. Tell me it's done. Tell me it's over."
"It's done.”
I pull back just enough to search his face. "And my father? Enrico?"
Something hard flashes in Alessandro's eyes. "They've been brought here. I wanted them to face their judgment where everyone could see. A warning to anyone else who might think of betraying me."
"When?" I ask.
